Seven of the best dog walks in and around Belfast

By The Newsroom
Published 30th Jan 2018, 17:12 GMT
Updated 30th Jan 2018, 17:13 GMT
Even living in the heart of the city, you can still escape to a green space with your furry friend (Photo: Susanne Nilsson / Wikimedia Commons)Even living in the heart of the city, you can still escape to a green space with your furry friend (Photo: Susanne Nilsson / Wikimedia Commons)
Even living in the heart of the city, you can still escape to a green space with your furry friend (Photo: Susanne Nilsson / Wikimedia Commons)

Getting your dog out to stretch their legs and get rid of some energy is important, especially when you live in a busy city like Belfast.

Here are some of the best green spaces just outside of the city centre where you can let your pooch blow off some steam.

Ormeau Park

(Photo: Keith Ruffles / Wikimedia Commons)

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Opening to the public at 7:30am and closing at around 5pm in the winter and later in the summer months, Ormeau Park is just a 10 minute drive outside of Belfast.

Originally home to the Donegall family, the space was opened up to the public in 1871, and is the oldest municipal park in Belfast.

Popular with both walkers and joggers, the park has a range of eco trails and orienteering routes, as well as plenty of space for your dog to run around.

Redburn Country Park

Out past the airport, Redburn Country Park offers seven kilometres of pathways and spectacular views for especially energetic dogs and their owners.

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Visit in spring and you'll be rewarded with a spread of beautiful wildflowers.

You're likely to head home with a slightly muddy but very happy pooch.

Woodvale Park

Home to football pitches and a bowling pavilion, the more urban Woodvale Park to the west of the city also has plenty of room for dog walkers.

The gates open at 7:30am and close when the sun goes down.

River Lagan

(Photo: Ross / Geograph / Wikimedia Commons)

Venture as far as you like down the River Lagan towpath, which actually stretches for 53.5 miles from Belfast to the Slieve Croob mountain in County Down.

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Well behaved dogs will enjoy a run along this pedestrian and cyclist-only route, surrounded by wetlands, riverside meadows and mixed woodland.

Just remember to be considerate of other towpath users.

Lagan Meadows

Adjacent to the River Lagan, Lagan Meadows is a little slice of countryside paradise not far from the city centre.

You and your pup can explore this nature reserve to your hearts' content whenever you like, but it's a particularly pleasant spot for a summertime walk.

Belvoir Park Forest

On the opposite side of the river lies Belvoir Park Forest, which some call the best spot for dog walking in Belfast, thanks to its looping network of paths, and the wild woodland and fields that surround it.

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A working forest within the city, the park covers 75 hectares and is a 25 minute drive from the centre of Belfast.

Botanic Gardens

(Photo: Ardfern / Wikimedia Commons)

On the same site as the Ulster Museum, Belfast's Botanic Gardens were established in 1828.

The gardens open at 7:30am and close at around sunset.

All dogs are to be kept on a lead within the park, but there are 28 acres to be explored.

Related topics:Belfast